Religious Research

Religious Research

A Comparative Analysis of Purity and Worship Obsessions in Judaism and Shiism

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Roya Hazbi 1
Alireza Ebrahim 2
Tahereh Haj Ebrahimi 3
1 PhD student, Department of Religions and Mysticism, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Religions and Mysticism, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
3 Associate Professor, Department of Religions and Mysticism, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/jrr.2024.354317.2055
Abstract
Doubt is a feature of human thought and a cognitive phenomenon that arises from a lack of knowledge. When persistent, it can lead to anxiety and obsessive behaviors. Religious matters, by their very nature, are considered "mysterious" and are therefore susceptible to doubt, anxiety, and obsessive tendencies. This analytical-comparative study demonstrates that religious obsessions among adherents of Judaism and Shiism are, to some extent, rooted in the "mystical" nature of sacred matters and, to some degree, originate from anxiety-inducing interpretations of sacred texts by certain religious authorities. From an internal religious perspective, satanic insinuations also contribute to obsessive tendencies, potentially resulting in compulsive behaviors related to cleansing the body of blood and excretions or performing prayers. Treating religious obsessions involves approaches such as altering the afflicted individual's perception of sacred matters, refining and moderating anxiety-inducing interpretations of religious texts, and raising awareness about the role of satanic influences. Other kinds of treatment include pseudo-religious methods (such as traditional medicine) or professional psychological therapy.
Keywords
Religious doubt
ritual scrupulosity
obsession
Judaism and Shi’ism
prayer rulings
purity rulings
Subjects
The Noble Quran.
The Hebrew Bible.
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